A provincial inter-ministerial team, including Human Settlements MEC Helen Sauls-August, Local Government MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane and his Health counterpart, Sicelo Gqobana, had been tasked to “assist Walmer and other hotspot areas of service delivery”, Wayile said.

“The challenges in Walmer need all the spheres of government to work together.

“On Thursday or Friday, we are going to meet with premier Noxolo Kiviet to look at other avenues regarding further funding for housing development in the metro.”

The metro had requested R511- million for housing development from Bhisho, Wayile said.

“But we were given only R271- million. We will negotiate with everybody for more money for housing development.

“I will be in the frontline negotiation for alternative [funding].”

Municipal housing official Mvuleni Mapu said the metro had identified the Walmer Country Club and erf 11305, situated next to it.

“We are currently in talks with the owners of the land to try and acquire it,” Mapu said.

Wayile said residents had made it clear they did not want to be relocated. “That is why we have identified this land which is closest to them.”

Asked by the residents when construction would begin, Wayile said the team of officials would have to discuss it first.

But community members were not satisfied.

“We are not happy with the response on the housing issue. People wanted to know when development is going to start,” community leader Mbulelo Tulumani said.

“Also, this issue of engaging with the land owners looks like it is going to be a long process.”

He said community leaders would discuss “a way forward”.

Following his release from custody, one of Monday’s protesters, Mzalazala Lukwe, 26, said some residents had seen the protests as a chance to commit crime.

“Police were forced to arrest a whole group of us, even if we were not involved in the violence,” he said. [/sociallocker]Additional reporting by Kathryn Kimberley